Man lives consciously for himself, but is an unconscious instrument in the attainment of the historic, universal, aims of humanity.

He had the unlucky capacity many men have of seeing and believing in the possibility of goodness and truth, but of seeing the evil and falsehood of life too clearly to take any serious part in it.

I do value my work awfully; but in reality only consider this: all this world of ours is nothing but a speck of mildew, which has grown up on a tiny planet. And for us to suppose we can have something great - ideas, work - it's all dust and ashes.

One ought only to write when one leaves a piece of one's own flesh in the inkpot, each time one dips one's pen.

There can be no peace for us, only misery, and the greatest happiness.

School is established, not in order that it should be convenient for the children to study, but that teachers should be able to teach in comfort. The children's conversations, motion, merriment are not convenient for the teacher, and so in the schools, which are built on the plan of prisons, are prohibited.

No one is satisfied with his position, but every one is satisfied with his wit